Data released on Time to Talk Day (1 February) revealed a concerning trend in Wales, where a staggering 68% of people are putting on a ‘brave face’ to avoid talking about their mental health during difficult times. Furthermore, 48% of people in Wales still believe that mental health is a taboo topic. The hesitance to talk about how we really feel is resulting in many people feeling isolated, withdrawn and with worsening mental health. Nationwide poll findings suggest that 54%…

HUMEN, a UK charity focussed on reducing the number of male suicides, is set to launch its next Rise Against Suicide campaign on Sunday 4th December 2022, calling on pubs in Wales to get involved and become a hub for progressive conversation. Over 5,000 men in the UK and Ireland took their own lives in the last year, accounting for 74% of all suicides. However, men are half as likely to seek out the help and support they need for their mental health,…

The British Red Cross is urging the Welsh Government to come up with a plan to tackle loneliness this winter, as a new report shows that many people aren’t coping. In new polling, over a third of people (37%) in Wales said loneliness was having a negative impact on their mental health. With most of the country now back under tighter restrictions, the British Red Cross is calling on everyone – governments, charities, communities and individuals – to come together…

Counselling and wellbeing centre Breathe is offering free counselling sessions to people who are furloughed or who have been made redundant as a result of Covid-19. Sessions will take place online or over the phone from 18th August. This free counselling service is available thanks to funding from the Voluntary Services Emergency Fund through the WCVA. Breathe is part of the mental health and social change charity Platfform.  Free counselling is available in the areas the charity works which are Bridgend, Cardiff,…

A McVitie’s ‘Let’s Talk’ van will be appearing up and down the UK to encourage Brits to take a break and have a chat over a biscuit and cup of tea   4th June 2019: McVitie’s, the UK’s favourite biscuit maker, and mental health charity Mind, are on a mission to get the nation talking through their new, joint ‘Let’s Talk’ campaign. As part of the campaign, a ‘Let’s Talk’ van will be touring the UK from 4 – 9…

Cardiff’s university students have been taking a break from the books, and getting on their bikes, to raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing.  Students living in CRM Student accommodation across Cardiff took part in a unique cycling, walking and rowing challenge on Tuesday (May 14). Organisers encouraged students to pedal, walk and row miles – with CRM Students’ five accommodation blocks clocking up an incredible 1,197 miles on Tuesday alone. Students pledged to cycle, row or walk miles, while…

Underwear brand Box & Scandal marked Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) by staging a protest show at Manchester Fashion Week, using semi-naked, male models representing the ‘every day man’ to promote body positivity – their core value and the theme of this year’s MHAW. The show, which featured models holding placards with slogans including ‘Balls to Perfection’, ‘Make Love Handles Not War’ and ‘Body Shaming is Pants’, was designed to bring attention to the fact that the portrayal of male…

A team of researchers from across Europe are praising the transformative impacts of forests on mental health. For two years, European health and wellbeing experts, Forest Europe, have been reviewing evidence on the benefits of spending time in forests. The experts say that just 2 or 3 short visits a week can dramatically improve mental health. In response, Forestry England & television presenter Kate Humble are encouraging people to visit the nation’s forests during mental health week (13 – 19…

‘Hafal’s Promise’ pledges friendship and ongoing support to anyone in Hafal’s client group who approaches the Charity for support Welsh charity Hafal will launch a new national service to combat loneliness and isolation at an event in the Principality Stadium on 15th May 2019. The new service – Hafal’s Promise – delivers on Hafal’s pledge to never turn away anyone in its client group, which includes people with a mental illness and their carers and families, and also people with…

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board’s Young Onset Dementia Service is looking for help and support to create bespoke centre to support patients and their families. The service based at Barry Hospital is in the process of being refurbished to create a centre appropriate for patients with young onset dementia. The team is seeking help and support from local businesses and the community to help with the project. Often it’s thought that dementia only affects people over 65. But there…